Scientists have found a female of a rare species of giant tortoise that should have disappeared 116 years ago in the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago belonging to Ecuador.

Giant tortoise found 116 years later – Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@galapagosconservacy

The animal was named Fernanda, after the island of Fernandina where it was seen. The last time a specimen of this species was seen was in 1906.

Although it was discovered in 2019, it is only now that researchers have been able to prove that it was a giant tortoise from Fernandina Island in the Galapagos Islands (Chelonoidis phantasticus) or a giant giant tortoise.

To conclude, Fernanda’s DNA was sequenced and compared to 13 other giant tortoises in the museum. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Communications Biology this Thursday (9).

“For many years it was thought that the original specimen, collected in 1906, was transplanted to the island as it was the only one of its kind. Now he seems to be one of the few who lived a hundred years ago, ”Princeton University professor Peter Grant told the British newspaper The Mirror.

Peter explains that when Fernanda was discovered, many doubted that she was indeed the island’s native tortoise, as she did not have a saddle-shaped shell.

According to scientists, Fernande must be well over 50 years old. It is assumed to be small because the limited vegetation prevents its growth.